Bottom filling extruding machine



March 29, 1949.

Filed Feb. 28, 1948 P. WHITE BOTTOM FILLING EXTRUDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Shget 1 fiwen for Percy White 9 h '6 Azz 5/ March 29, 1949. P. WHITE 2,465,501

BOTTOM FILLING EXTRUDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 28, 1948 .rnuen far L Per-0y Whz'ta 0-: (an

March 29, 1949. P. WHITE 2,465,501

BOTTOM FILLING EXTRUDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 29, 1949. P. WHITE BOTTOM FILLING EXTRUDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 17711621 for Percy W/zz'i e March 29, 1949. P. WHITE BOTTOM FILLING EXTRUDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 28, 1948 Q 0 M 6 m Z I a z H Irv/6n for Patented Mar. 29, 1949 BOTTOM FILLING EXTRUDING MACHINE Percy White, Leicester, England, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application February 28, 1948, Serial No. 11,952 In Great Britain March 26, 1947 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for filling shoe bottom cavities, and more particularly to improvements in bottom filling machines of the type described in United States application Serial No. 745,926, filed May 9, 1947, in the names of C. M. Bagshaw, F. C. Choice, and J. W. Pratt and also in the British application No. 17,141, filed June 6, 1946.

In many shoe manufacturing processes, before the attachment of an outsole and after the upper has been lasted over an insole, there is a shoebottom cavity bounded by the inner edge of the overlasted upper. In Goodyear welt shoes, for example, this cavity lies within the inseam in the forepart, or the forepart and shank, and this cavity is usually filled with a soft resilient material to present a smooth surface and requisite backing for the outsole. It is customary to fill the cavity flush with the top of the inseam and the material used is a filling composition such, for example, as a mixture of ground cork and a binder which may or may not be thermoplastic but customarily requires heating to permit spreading of the same.

The machine described in the applications referred to above includes a matrix box arranged to overlie the forepart of a shoe which is pressed upwardly against a thin metal diaphragm or matrix formin the lower wall of the matrix box. I This matrix is sufiiciently flexible to enable it to accommodate itself to the varying curvatures along and across the bottoms of different shoes. This diaphragm or matrix, by contact With the upper edge of the insole lip present on a welted shoe, forms a closure for the upper side of the shoe bottom cavity as a shoe is presented to the machine bottom upward. The machine also includes a reciprocating plunger device for extruding plastic bottom filling material through a short metal tube which passes downwardly through a central portion of the matrix or diaphragm and opens into the cavity in the shoe bottom. The

speed of reciprocation of the plunger is low enough to ensure avoidance of undue compression of the bottom fillin material but is adequate to ensure that the material will find its way into all portions of the cavity.

In order to ensure that the plunger may, on a single stroke, supply sufficient bottom filling composition to the cavity to fill the latter completely, the plunger has associated with it a hollow pick up sleeve which is caused to travel ahead of the plunger through a mass of material in an agitating drum therefor, and in so doing, to carry an adequate amount of filling composition with it. Continued advance of the plunger expels the material from the sleeve and through the short metal tube in the matrix which leads to the cavity in the shoe bottom.

With a view to preventing an excessive amount of material bein applied 'to the cavity in the shoe bottom by the plunger, the machine of the aforesaid applications is provided with a by-pass valve positioned just above the matrix, which the operator may operate when he considers that sufficient material has been applied to the cavity in the shoe bottom and the mechanism acts first to cut off further entry of material into the short metal tube in the matrix box and to disconnect the plunger from the power means for moving it. The by-pass valve is then opened to return excess material to the agitating drum and recouple the plunger to said power means so that such material carried forward by the further plunger movement will return directly to the drum without passing into the shoe bottom cavity. The machine also includes convenient means for supporting a shoe in firm contact with the matrix during a bottom filling operation thereon and automatic means for lockin the shoe against movement out of proper position during the operation and for releasing it for removal from the machine at the conclusion of the operation.

In the operation of the machine as above described the shoe being worked upon is subjected to a necessary upward movement into sealing relation with the matrix or diaphragm. Such upward movement is essential in that machine in order to secure an efiective seal between the matrix and the shoe bottom, such seal requiring considerable pressure. Upon release of the shoe from the machine, some bottom filling composition is drawn away from the lower end of the short metal tube in the matrix box and forms an unwarranted protuberance in the central portion of the shoe bottom. This protuberance entails an additional step to be performed for it must be pressed down to the level of the bottom filling material in the cavity before further operations on the shoe may be carried out.

The object of the present invention is to provide improved means for effecting a seal between the shoe bottom and the matrix and to avoid the formation of a protuberance of excess bottom filler composition on the shoe bottom.

To the above ends, one feature of the invention comprises a cam operated mechanism for pressing the margin of a matrix of thin flexible metal into effective sealing relation with the bottom of a shoe preliminarily placed in position to be operated upon. A further feature comprises a cut-off valve which supplements the control of the flow of the bottom filling composition provided by a by-pass valve and which cut-ofi valve functions in a plane which is approximately that of the matrix: M W V I These and other features of the invention; including certain details of construction and com binations of parts, will be described as embodied in an illustrated machine and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings;

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a machine embodying the features of the present invention? Fig. 2 is a view in side elevatipn partly broken away and looking from the right side of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1, and drawn to a larger scale; I

Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation on an enlarged scale of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, a section being taken through the matrix box and the'eiit ofif valve Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in section taken along the line IV"'-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is 'a plan View or the matrix box shown in Fig. 4-;

Fig.6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI VI of Fig. 5 i

s Fig. '7 is a sectional View taken along the line VI I'-VII of Fig. 5';

Fig.8 is a bottom view of the matrix or diaphragm of 4 and 5; A

Fig. 9 is a front view of the matrix box;

Fig. 10 is a perspective View showing the bottom of the matrix box with the matrix or diaphragm and other parts removed for the purpose ofillustration; and

Fig. 11 is a plah view of the mechanism shown in Fig. fl.

The illustrated inachihe in which the present inventi'ori is embodied comprises a vertical casing and all the interior working parts including an agitating drum, power drive details and controls as described in the applications heretofore referred to together with a modified form of matrix box and improved controls for the flexing of the matrix and flow of the bottom filling composition at the matrix. s s

Mounted on the base of the casing I0 is a treadle l2, as shown in the earlier applications, which treadle is utilized for actuating shoe clamping pads I 4 and subsequently tripping a clutch for starting rotation of a driving motor connected to a source of electrical energy. The parts in the casing 10 are not shown in the drawings as they form no part of the present invention, but it may be stated a few words, that the motor drives a rotating or agitating drum containing bottom filling composition supplied to it from a hopper, an'd a plunger or piston together with an associated sleeve extrudes bottom filling material from the drum through 'a by-pass valve l6 (Fig. 4) to the cavity in the bottom of a shoe 2 (Fig. 2). The by-pass valve I6 (the purpose 4 of which is to allow bottom filling material to be supplied to the cavity in a shoe bottom or alternatively to allow the material to be fed back to the rotating drum according to the position of the valve) may be rotated to out off the supply of bottom filling material when a sufilcie'nt amount has been supplied to the shoe bottom cavity and such rotation also causes the shoe clamping pads 1 ll partially to rele ses shoe. The connections between the valve l6 and the pads is by a link 17, lever [8, a spring l9 and other parts shown in the applications referred to.

Like the machine described in the applications referred to, the machine herein illustrated is provided with a matrix box 20 which, however, is of a modified construction. A channel 22 (Fig. 4) extends forwardly and downwardly from the bypass valve I6 to a short metal tube 24 communicating with the under side of the diaphragm or matrix 26 of the matrix box 20. The by-pass valve l6, passage 22 and other parts to be described are located in a head casting 28 suitably bolted to a front portion of the machine.

Where contact is made with the matrix 26, the exterior wall of the matrix box 20 corresponds, in outline, to the shape of the forepart of an exceptionally wide shoe. The matrix box comprises the thin flexible metal matrix or diaphragm 25 having a width of about five and onehalf inches and a length of about six inches, which matrix forms the lower or enclosing wall of the box and is of sufiicient size to close the cavity in the bottom of any shoe robe treated. The short metal tube 24 passes downwardly through the upper wall 38 of the box 20 and serves to clamp the matrix 26 in place against a central backing plate 32 disposed above it, thereby providing a duct whereby the bottom filling material may pass through the matrix box and matrix 25 into the cavity of a shoe bottom presented to the machine.

The backing plate 32 is formed as a part of an upper wall -30 and is similar in outline to the side wall of the matrix box 20 although its outline is much smaller in width and length, its width being approximately one and one-half inches and its --length approximately four and one half inches.

The heel'ward end of the backing plate 3? appreaches closer to the heelward end of the matrix box 26 than does its toeward end to the toeward end of the matrix box (see Fig. 4). The backing plate 32 has an inwardly extending groove 36 (Figs. 4 and '10) running around its periphery near its lower edge. e I I s i I The upper wall 30 of the box 20 is provided on its outer 'surfacewith four internally threaded upstandingbosses 40 (Figs. 5 "and 9) for receiving vertically disposed andthreaded studs 42 KFigs. 3, 4 and ll) by which it is secured fixed position on the head casting 28 of the machine, he periphery of the matrix 26 lying in a substantially horizontal plane with its toe end pointing toward the rear of themachine. A depending for V-shaped wall #4 is fixed to the upper wall -30 of the matrix box and extends continuously along the sides and toe end portions thereof, but

"not across the h'eelward end portionof the Wall 3E0. A series of eight vertical holes 51) (Fig. 5) are formed in the depending Wall along its s de portions, there being four holes 50 in each side portion which holes are equally spaced. ihe holes -50 extend downwardly through the wan "44 (Fig. 6 rw similar holes-52 (Fig. 5) are made through the toeward portion "of the depending wall 44 being spaced on "each-side of the median line extending lengthwise of thefmatrix b 20. A tension spring 54 (Fig. 6) is disposed'ivithin each of these tenholes and {is supported at its upper end "by a cross pin 56 at the up er endpf the hole and resting within-a slot "(not sh-own) formed in the plate or wan-a0. The lower sneer each sprin er "is conne t d to 'tha't portion or the matrix 26 which lies below the spr ng, which porn-o is thereby pulled upward y into to; act

withth'eiower edge or the depending wan 4t by a screw 60 which passes through the matrix 26 and which is threaded on to the tension spring 54.

In each of the two opposite side portions of the depending wall 44 which are located toward the heelward end of the matrix box 20, a blind hole 62 (Figs. and 7) is made, extending downwardly from the upper edge of the depending wall for at least three-quarters of the depth of that wall and the wall in the region of and about the blind hole is cut to form an opening 63, the

depth of the part cut away being about one-half that of the wall (Fig. '7) A similar wall opening 63 (Fig. 7) and blind hole 62 (Fig. 5) is made at the most toeward part of the wall 44 and a compression spring 64 (Fig. 7) is seated within each of the three blind holes 62 for a purpose later to be described.

A series of fingers 66 (Fig. 10) is arranged in such a way that they extend radially and outwardly from the backing plate 32, the inner ends of these fingers 66, which are reduced as to their vertical dimensions, extending within the roove 36 in the backing plate and being capable of a small amount of up-and-down and in-and-out movement therein. Each finger comprises a thin wedge shaped, plate-like member which, when viewed from its side, presents a lower surface at that edge more remote from the upper wall 30 of the box which is inwardly and upwardly inclined. Thus, in cooperation with the fiat lower surface of the backing plate 32, the inclined edges of the fingers 66 (which actually lie in contact with the upper surface of the matrix 26) provide a concave contour corresponding with the convex contour which normally exists along and across the bottom of a shoe forepart. At their outer ends the fingers 66 are provided with short ears 68 (Fig. 4) extending outwardly from their upper portions and lying substantially in the same horizontal plane as their reduced inner ends 36. These ears 68 are constrained against excessive downward movement by a shoulder 10 formed on the lower end of the aforesaid depending wall 44. It is to be understood, therefore, that the outer ends of the fingers 66 may rock upwardly or downwardly in relation to their inner ends which latter are prevented from vertical movement by the groove 36 in the backing plate 32. Upward or downward movement of the outer ends of the fingers 66 will result in corresponding movement of the outer margin of the matrix or diaphragm 26. The fingers 66 are preferably arranged in groups of four (Fig. 10), the fingers of each group lying side by side in contacting relation with each other and being so retained by guide pins 10 (Fig. 10) projecting downwardly from the upper wall 30 of the box 20 and lying close to the outermost fingers of each group near their outer ends. Conveniently there are twelve such groups of fingers arranged along each side portion of the box. The outer ends of the two adjacent groups at the toe end of the matrix box are spaced slightly more than an inch apart and make only a small angle with the median line extending lengthwise of the box while the outer ends of the outermost heelward pair of the groups lie just heelwardly of the heelward end of the backing plate 32. The fingers of these two last-mentioned groups extend inwardly and somewhat toewardly in directions which will lie more or less perpendicularly to those side portions of a shoe presented to the machine which lie toward the toeward end of the waist of the shoe. The separation of the groups in the region of the toe end of the box is equal approximately to the width of the groups themselves but this separation is progressively decreased in width toward the heelward end of the box, being equal, in that region, to about onehalf the width of the group. In the gap between the most toeward pair of groups of fingers there is provided a single finger 12 which is about three-quarters of an inch in width at the outer side and which tapers to about one-third of that width where it adjoins the backing plate 32. The shape of this single finger as viewed in a vertical plane is generally similar to that of the other fingers before mentioned. The groups of fingers 66 and the single finger 12, each supports a spring 14 seating within a recess formed in the upper surface of a group of fingers or the single finger.

There is disposed within the matrix box 20 about the backing plate 32 and above the upper ends of the springs just referred to, a metal plate which normally is thrust upwardly against the lower face of the wall 30 by the three compression springs 64 which are seated within the blind holes formed in the wall 44. This plate 80 has approximately the same shape as the matrix box, when looked at from above, and the inner edge of the plate closely embraces the metal backing plate 32 While the outer edge thereof is closely embraced by the depending wall 54, the three compression springs 64 bearing against suitable projections 82 (Fig. 5 and 7) on the margin of the plate 88 which fit Within the wall openings 63. The upper ends of those springs 14 which seat within the recesses provided in the various groups of fingers bear against the under side of the plate 86 inwardly of its outer margin. Downward movement of the plate 80 (by means to be described), against the thrust of the compression springs 64, will be transmitted to the outer end portions of the fingers 66 and finger l2 and hence to the outer margin of the matrix 26 through the springs M interposed between the plate and the fingers, thereby causing the margin of the matrix 26 to flex and accommodate itself to variations in the height of the insole lip present on a Welt shoe then held fixedly against the matrix. Adequate contact is thereby made with the insole lip all along the sides and around the toe end of the shoe bottom cavity to form an efiective seal.

The central portion of the diaphragm 25 is secured to the back ng plate 32 and for this purpose the short, downwardly extending tube 24 has a flared head for clamping the diaphragm 26 to the under side of the backing plate 32. This detail is as described in the patent applications referred to. A hexagonal nut 90 is threaded upon the top end of the tube 24 and a recess 92 is formed in the top of the wall 36 to receive the nut 98. The tube 24 and the nut 99 serve to ma ntain the matrix box 20 with its parts in assembled relation as well as providing a passage for the fiow of bottom filling composition through the matrix and into the shoe bottom cavity.

The matrix 26 comprises four overlapp ng plates of very thin resilient steel which, when assembled together, have a size and outline similar to that of the matrix box depending wall 44. One of these plates 94 (Fig. 8) is adapted to engage the toe portion of the bottom of a shoe offered to the machine and is approx mately V- shaped as seen in plan, the apex of the plate 84 completely surrounding the fluid con uct n tube 24, above the head on the latter, the plate extend ng toeward y to the extreme toe end of the matrix box where its width is at least about two inches. This @p'late :is held yieldingly against the lower surface of the depending wall by two springs as acting through screws BI] the springs being located within holes 50 in that wall as previously described, 'Two other plates 96 and 98 are arranged to extend .fromthe isideportions-of this toe endplate 94 along the opposite sides of the matrix box and these two plates are upheld 'yieldingly against the wall 44 by eightsfpri ngs 54 acting through screws 60, the springs being located in holes 50 spaced apart in the wall M, two of the hole's 5fl, as shown, being closed to-the h'eelward end of the box. The .plates 96 and 98 have portions which overlap the side "margins of the toe end plate 94. --Each plate '96 and "98 is n'ot'ched to fit halfway around the tube 2%. These side plates do not, however, extend completely across the width of the box at its heel'ward end but rather present a somewhat V-shaped gap between them in that regionfthe wider part of the gap lying below the heelward edge of the box. This heelward gap is covered by a fourth plate Hill which has a portion surrounding the tube 2 3 and is of a shape corresponding to that of the gap but somewhat larger so as to overlap the adjacent marginal portions of the side plates 96 and 98. The overlapping marginal portions of the four plates are flexibly attached to "each other at 95 as by riveting, thus presenting unitary diaphragm or matrix the various portions of which may readily tilt and'yield heightwise relatively to each other. There are, of course, no diaphragm fingers 66 above the central portion of the diaphragm at the extreme heelward end of the box and, in order to provide adequate sup--;

port for the fourth plate I against too ready heightwise movement when pressed downwardly against a shoe, this plate I00 has a'metal bar I02 secured to the upper face of its heelward margin. It may be spot welded thereto say, at points 104 and I06 (Fig. 8). This bar IE2 extends widthwise of the box just beyond the heelward end of the backing plate 32 and ashort spring H0 located between its central portion and the under face of the wall 80 normally supports the heel- I ward end of the plate H11] in the desired heightwise relation to the remaining plates but allows 'itto yield upwardly if necessary. The upper edge of the bar I02 tapers downwardly from the center toward each of its ends and so provides capacity for the bar, and the plate which it supports, to tilt laterally if necessary.

Downward movement of the metal plate 80 and hence of the diaphragm margin, with respect to the walls 30 and 44 of the matrix box is effected by means of four plungers H2 (Fig. 3) which fit Within four downwardly extending bores El [4 formed in the head casting 28 and which pass through corresponding apertures 116 (Fig. in the wall 30. Two of these bores Hi are disposed toward the toeward end of the matrix box'and are equally spaced on each side of the median line extending lengthwise of the box while the other two of these bores Iltl are located near the heelward end of the box, these also being equally spaced on'each side of the median line but further away therefrom than the two first-mentioned bores H4. The bores extend upwardly in the head casting-28 for the greater part orthe height thereof. The bores I14 at the toewardend of the matrix box terminate in "a horizontal channel I28 (Fig. 4) made in the head casting and extend completely through the-casting and in a direction from side to side thereof. The bores H4 at the heelward end of the matrix box siniilarly cover I24 retained imposition beneath the heads of bolts :42.

Toward the lower end of each bore I'M the diameter thereof is reduced'so as to provide a Shoulder 126 (Fig. 4) against :which a widened part ofthe associatedpliinge 112 may bear. When the vertically movable iplatetli is in contact withthe under surface of the wall 30 of :the matrix box this widened part'of -eachlplim'ger 1:12 is positioned a short distance above its coope'rating shoulder [-26 so as to permit downward movement of the plunger. The lower ends of the ,.plungers IIZ rest upon the upper su rtaee of the plate and the lower end of'ea'eh ."plunger is iflatso'as to'conform with'the surfa'ce of'theplate 0 and the upper end of the plunger is semisphericalextending partially into its associated hollow/channel l2ilor I22. A'horizontalcam bar 43!! (Figs. 3 and l-l') extends'withi-nand :is slidable alon'g each horizonta'l channel 420 or H2 and has formed on its under surface two arcuate and concave surfaces 1 3-2 each arranged to actuate one of the plungers H2 upon movement of the "proper cam bar I30. When the movable ,plate "84! is "in contact with the under surface of thewall 3B the semi-spherical end of each plunger 1 I2 bears against the highest point of :its cooperating artiu'atacam surface I32 and endwise movement-of a bar 138 causes two of the .plungers 1 P2 to move downwardly. The "h'or-izontal cam 'bars 1 36 are caused to move simultaneously and thus all four Iplungers :I I2 move downwardly together rocking all the groups of fingers 66 and finger 12 downwardly about their inner ends.

Endwise movement of the cam bars l-QU is effe'cted by a bell crank lever Mil and a lever I'M (Figs. 3 and '11) fixed to a shaft 142 pivoted o'nthehead casting 26, end portions of a forked armof e'a'ch lever Mb and MI engaging with the cam bars and the end of the arm I43 (Fig. 3) on the bell crank lever 1'40 being zpivota'lly conhected to a downwardly extendinglink I' l l which connected to a toggle mechanism (hereinafter referred to) by means of a lever MS-and gearing I41.

As fully illustrated and disclosed in the abovem'entioned patent applications, the shoe clampin'g pads 14 are operated by mechanism including a -vertically movable bar I 48. Vertical movemerit of this bar is effective to cause the pads 14 to move toward or away from their shoe clam-ping positions. Vertical movement of the bar is effected by a treadle rod I49 the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the midpoint of a lever 1'59 which is pivoted at 2H3 :near its forward end, to the lower end 'of'the bar M8 and is upheld at its rearward portion by a relatively strong -spring cm. The rearward "end of the lever "I50 is connected to mean's M for controlling a clutch (not herein shown). The arrangement is such that depression of the tread-1e 12 connected to the lower end-o f the treadle rod Mil-first causes the shoe clamping pads "I t 'to 'move against a shoe and then, when firm contact with the shoe is obtained, resistance to further clamping mo'vement causes the lever l 50 to swing :reversely about its forward pivot to actuate the clutch control means to start the power operation of the ma'chine.

Also, as in the-machine of the above-mentioned patent applications, the bar I48 is connected to a rack I51 positioned so that the teeth thereof may come into engagement with a pair of pawls (not shown herein). The construction is such as to provide more positive support for the shoe against displacement from the matrix when bottom filler material is being forced into the shoe bottom cavity. To this end a link 216 is pivotally connected (at its front end) to the upper end of a toggle link 2I8 the lower of which is pivoted on a pin 220 fast in the machine frame. The forward end of toggle link 2I8 is pivoted to a second toggle link 222, the two occupying a broken relation when the machine is at rest as shown in Fig. 2. The upper end of the link 222 is pivoted to the rear end of a pawl-carrying lever 224 fulcrumed on a fixed pivot pin 226. The forward end of the lever 224 carries a pin 228 on which a pair of substantially vertical pawls (not shown herein) are mounted one beside the other. These pawls are urged by springs to engage the teeth on the rack I5I. The arrangement is similar to that of the applications referred to in that a rearward movement of the link 2 I 6 straightens the toggle links 2I8 and 222 connected to the pawl-carrying lever 224 and, bv thus thrusting upwardly on the rear end of that lever, pushes the pawls downwardly and moves the rack bar I48 downwardly accompanied by a further inward movement of the shoe engaging pawls I4. The pads are then retained in their further inward positions by the straightened togge li ks 218 and 222. The rearward movement of the link 2 I6 is also accompanied by a slow forcing of filler composition into the shoe bottom cavity. The operator causes the valve I6 to rotate when the cavity in the shoe bottom is filled. the operation on the shoe being completed. Rotation of the valve I6 not only cuts off the flow of filling'material through the matrix but also releases the shoe for removal from the machine, causing also the completion of the advancing and w thdrawing movement of the plunger to its initial retracted position at high speed. The machine then comes to rest with the parts except for the valve I6. in their original positions.

Withdrawal of the pawls from engagement with the rack I5I is caused by movement of the valve I6 to raise the pawls to a more elevated position from that in which they originally e gaged the rack bar, and means is provided to swing the pawls away from the rack bar holding them thereafter in withdrawn position. Free y mounted on the pivot 228 and loosely held on a fixed pin 229 is a lever 230 with a hand pad at its forward end. This lever 230 is arranged to move upwardly with the rack I5I and if a shoe has been improperly clamped by the pads I4 the operator may depress the hand pad and thus manually disengage the pawls from the rack I5I to free the shoe.

In the machine embodying the present invention, a departure has been made from the disclosure of the applications referred to in that lever 224 is now keved or otherwise fastened to the shaft or pin 226 to rotate therewi h and that pin 226 is provided with a bevel gear 232 in mesh with a bevel gear 234 k yed to a shaft 236 upon which lever I46 is afiixed. The bevel gears 232 and 234 constitute the gearing I41 already referred to.

The head casting 28 has an electric heat ng element I52 (Fig. 4) housed within it and an additional horizontal bore I 53 is provided at the heelward end of the casting 28 in the event that an additional heating element should be needed for a given specific filler composition. This heat ing element I52 is utilized to heat the filling suitably to soften the same at the extrusion zone.

The matrix box 20 is located in fixed position upon the head casting 28 so that the tube 24 therein through which the filling composition passes to the shoe lies somewhat forwardly of the by-pass valve I6. The channel 22 is formed in the casting 28 to lead from the outlet side of the by-pass valve I6 to a point just about the upper end of the tube 24 (Fig. 4). A vertical bore I 54 having an internal diameter equal to that of the tube 24 is formed in the casting 28 directly above the tube 24 and the channel 22 leads into this bore. At its upper end portion, however, the bore I54 is widened so as to provide a shoulder I56. A valve rod I60 is slidably disposed in this bore I54. At its u per end portion the valve rod I60 has a flange I62 received within the widened portion of the bore. A spring I64 is disposed about the valve rod I60, the upper end of the spring bearing against the flange I62 and the lower end bearing against the shoulder I56. The lower end portion of the valve rod I60 is narrowed to form a neck portion I66 and is then gradually widened toward its end. The neck portion I66 is normally located opposite to the passage 22 in the head casting andis so shaped that it offers a minimum of resistance to flow of material issuing from the channel 22 into and through the tube 24. In such normal position the rod I60 does not quite extend throughout the whole length of the tube 24 in the matrix box 20, it in fact terminating a short distance from the restricted bottom opening thereof.

The head casting 28 is rigidly supported on the machine frame by three horizontal bolts passing through ears I62 (Fig. 3) projecting from the back of the casting. Side brackets I64 and I66 are also formed on the head casting 28 and vertical bars I68 and I69 depend therefrom and steady the entire assembly as in the machine of the patent applications referred to.

Engaging the upper end of the valve rod I60 is one end of a substantially horizontal lever I10 (Fig. 3) pivoted on the upper end of the head casting 28. The other end of the lever I10 rests on one arm I12 (Fig. 4) of a bell crank lever pivoted at I13 on a projection from the machine frame. The other arm I14 of the bell crank lever is connected by means of a link I (Fig. 2) to a foot treadle I82, a tension spring I83 being provided for upholding the treadle I82 with the parts in the positions shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. An abutment I84 on the arm I14 of the bell crank lever is adapted to engage an arm I86 (Fig. 2) of another bell crank lever which actuates the bypass valve I6 to terminate the flow of bottom filling material therethrough and to cause surplus material to flow back into the drum of the machine. Consequently depression of the treadle I82 causes downw rd movement of the arm I 4 thereby cutting off the supply of bottom filling material to the tube 24 in the matrix box and at or about the same time causes downward movement of the valve rod I60 and brings its lower end into seating engagement with an inturned flange I90 (Fig. 4) on the lower end of the tube 24 to close the tube and prevent whatever bottom filling material then remains in the tube from being drawn out of it as the operator withdraws the shoe from the machine after the conclusion of a bottom filling operating.

To enable the extruding or cut-off valve I6 to be operated at the proper time during the operati-vecycleof :the machine for agiven shoe, mechanism described in the applications referred {to is employed. This mechanism includes a rod 2110 which is fixed to, rotatable with, and in :axial alinementwith the valve Z|5,:aTb1OCk 5fi| :(Figs. 1 and =2), a valve controlling :member or lever 2513.3 (Fig. 2), the rod H, spring 19, lever 1:8 :(the last three elements alreadybeing mentioned) a horizontal rod 519 and an upwardly extending arm 523. *The details andoperation of these elements are as described in the applications referred to.

The procedure ifollowed in filling the cavity in the bottom .of a welt shoe with the aid of the illustrated machine will now be described. As.- sumin-githe machine to be in acold condition the operator will first switch :on the electric power to the driving motor of the machine and to the electric heating elements thereof. He will allow the containing the cork and binder composition .to rotate and the machine to heat up for a sufficient period of time :to insure that the material in the agitating drum has reached a smooth and fluent condition free from unbroken lumps.

The operator takes a shoe and, assuming all necessary preparatory operations, including the i-nseamtrimming operation, have been performed, presentsit bottom upward and with its toe portion extending away from him, beneath the central portion of the matrix 26, The operator then places the shoe bottom in firm contact with the matrix 2 6. At this point, however, a tight seal will seldom be provided as the upper edge of the insole rib is usually somewhat rough and slightly undulating as a result of the previous inseam trimming operation. The mere placing of the shoe against the diaphragm 26 by the operator cannot be assumed eifectively to seal the cavity completely against the possibility of filling material leaking over the top of the insole rib and finding its way to adjacent parts of the shoe.

With the shoe held against the diaphragm or matrix 2-6 the operator will depress the treadle I 2 which first causes the shoe supporting pads M to grip the shoe at opposite side portions there of and support it against the matrix 26 and sec.- ondl-y, it subsequently trips a clutch to start the machine into power operation (all of which is described in the applications above referred to).

Early in the power operation, the shoe supporting pads 14 are thrust harder against the shoe by means of the toggle mechanism (levers 2H} and 222) and are locked in position thus prevente ing movement of the shoe upwardly or downwardly. At, or about the same time, the horigontal cam bars I30 (which form a part of the present invention) are automatically drawn along their associated horizontal channels by means of the operation of the aforesaid toggle mechanism, gearing I41 (including bevel gears 232 and 23 i) and levers I40, I44 and M6. The four plungers ii? are forced downwardly and simultaneously within their bores lid for a short distance. As a consequence the plate 80 moves downwardly and, through the operation of the spring M, will press the fingers 2'5 and rock the fingers about their inner ends. The margin of the matrix 26 will therefore move downwardly compressing the inseam materials, including the insole lip and will conform to the height vise curvatures of the inseam materials along the sides and around the toe end of the shoe thus effectively sealing the cavity in the shoe bottom, The amount of downward movement of any part of the matrix 2.6 will be determined by 66 against the diaphragm or matrix the size of whatever gap exists between that part of the matrix :26 andthe inseam materials, but it will :be appreciated that all parts or the diaphragm margin will move down slightly away from the rim or depending wall (M of the matrix box 20,-since downward movement of the plungers H12 will increase the pressure oi the diaphragm or (matrix 26 against the inseam materials and there y increase the sealing pressure.

While downward movement of the four plungers M12 is occurring, the plunger and its sleeve (not shown herein), for forcing the fiow .of the bottom filling composition, will be advancing through the drum of bottom filling material and the treadle I82 will beheld in its uppermost positi n by the Spr n 183. After downward movement of the plungers H2 has ceased and the matrix :has consequently been pressed against the inseam materials, bottom filling material will have reached and been extruded through the open by-pass valve i6 and by the raised neck portion -55 so as to allow the extruded material to flow into the shoe bottom cavity. Continued flow of the material will cause it to fiow widthwise and length-wise throughout the shoe bottom cavity until it emerges beneath the heelward end of thematrix 25-near'thewaist of the shoe. This emergence will be slight but sufiicient to be no.- ticed by the operator and will indicate to him that the cavity has been filled. He will then depress the treadle H32 and cause the by-pass valve It to rotate and cut ofi the supply of bottom filling material to the cavity and at the same time will seat the end of valve rod H66 against the lip E953.

The act of rotating the valve to (by depression of the treadle I82 and consequent rotation of the lever i86 not only will cause surplus bottom filling material to fiow back into. the drum of the machine and eliminate any protuberance of bottom filling material on the shoe but will also cause the shoe supporting pads hi partially to release the shoe and the cam bars we to move and allow upward movement of the four plunger-s i i2, thereby allowing the marginof the diaphragm or matrix 26 to be drawn up against the wall i l of the matrix box by the springs 54.

Having thus described my invention, claim as new and desire to secure Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine for filling a cavity in the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of sufiicient size to close said cavity, said matrix having a passage for the flow of filling composition, means for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon, and means for moving said matrix into firm .engagement with the bottom of said shoe and for increasing the pressure of said matrix on said shoe bottom to seal said cavity.

2. A machine for filling a cavity on the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of sufficient size .to close said cavity, said matrix having a fixed central portion and a fiexible margin, said fixed central portion being provided with a passage for the flow of filling composition, means for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon, and means for moving the flexible margin of said matrix toward and into engagement with the bottom of said shoe and for increasing the engagement pressure to seal said cavity.

3 A machine for filling a cavity in the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of sufficient size to close said cavity, said matrix having a flexible working face of spring sheet metal and a fixed central portion with a passage for the flow of what I by Letters fi n composition, a numb r of fin ers co t ct 7 ing said sheet metal and extending from the central fixed portion, means for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon, and means to impart motion to the spring sheet metal with the aid of said fingers to press said sheet metal toward and into engagement with the said shoe bottom to seal said cavity.

4. A machine for filling a cavity in the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of sufiicient size to close said cavity, said matrix having a passage for the flow of filling composition, means for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon, and cam mechanism for pressing the margin of said matrix against said shoe bottom to seal the said cavity.

5. A machine for filling a cavit in the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of sufiicient size to close said cavity, said matrix being composed of sheet metal and a fixed central portion with a. passage for the flow of filling composition, a valve in said passage with a seat approximately in the plane of said matrix, means for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon, and means for pressing the sheet metal of said matrix toward and against said shoe bottom to seal said cavity.

6. A machine for filling a cavity in the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of suflicient size to close said cavity, said matrix having a passage for the flow of filling composition, a cut-01f valve in said passage with a seat approximately in the plane of said matrix, a by-pass valve above said cut-ofi valve for returning unused composition introduced under pressure to its source, means for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon, and means for moving said matrix toward and into engagement with the bottom of said shoe and for increasing its pressure on said shoe bottom to seal said cavity.

'7. A machine for filling a cavity in the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of suificient size to close said cavity, said matrix having a flexible margin and a rigid central portion provided with a passage for the flow of filling composition, a rod axially slidable in said passage to constitute a cut-off valve therefor, a by-pass valve adjacent said passage to control the flow of filling composition to said passage, means for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon, and means for moving the flexible margin of said matrix into firm engagement with the bottom of said shoe 14 and for increasing its pressure on said shoe bottom to seal said cavity.

8. A machine for filling a cavity in the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of sufficient size to close said cavity and having a passage for the flow of filling composition, a cut-ofi Valve with its seat in approximately the plane of the matrix, means for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon, means for moving said matrix against the bottom of said shoe and into and away from a position of firm engagement in which said cavity is sealed, and mechanism to close said cut-off valve in timed relation to the operation of said moving means.

9. A machine for filling a cavity in the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of sufficient size to close said cavity, said matrix having a flexible margin and a fixed central portion with a passage for the flow of filling composition, a valve with its seat approximately in the plane of said matrix, means for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon, means for moving the flexible margin into and away from engagement with the bottom of said shoe and for increasing and decreasing its pressure on said shoe bottom to temporarily seal said cavity, and means to operate said valve in timed relation with said moving means.

10. A machine for filling a cavity in the bottom of a shoe including a matrix of sufficient size to close said cavity, said matrix including a flexible working face of thin metal and a fixed central portion with a passage for the flow of filling composition, said passage having a valve with a seat approximately in the plane of said matrix, said valve comprising an axially movable rod cooperating with said seat to control said passage, a by-pass valve controlling the flow of filling composition to said passage, means for holding a shoe with its bottom up and in position to be operated upon, cam mechanism for moving said flexible working face of said matrix into firm engagement with the bottom of said shoe to seal said cavity, and mechanism to operate said cam mechanism, said by-pass valve, and said axially movable rod in timed relation.

PERCY WHITE.

No references cited. 

